Carlyle might be considered more formal, but the park ave is more somber, more conservative.

Wear the Carlyle in a black suit for a classy evening affair, and wear the park Ave in court, or to a funeral.

Or an interview.

Honestly both would be fine in most cases, but the Park Ave is less of a head turner, and therefore slightly more appropriate.

Ah I see what you mean by being a "head turner." Both look like they are formal "enough" for the most formal situations, but yeah Carlyle would certainly stand out more being just more sleeker and what not. If I have to choose then, I will wear the PA for interviews. Thanks again.

Ah I see what you mean by being a "head turner." Both look like they are formal "enough" for the most formal situations, but yeah Carlyle would certainly stand out more being just more sleeker and what not. If I have to choose then, I will wear the PA for interviews. Thanks again.

Of course...

Many who wear black captoes infrequently (like once or twice a year) choose to "go cheaper" (2nds or cheaper brands) on those shoes. After all, if the shoe isn't meant to attract attention, very few will be looking anyway...

Many who wear black captoes infrequently (like once or twice a year) choose to "go cheaper" (2nds or cheaper brands) on those shoes. After all, if the shoe isn't meant to attract attention, very few will be looking anyway...

Yup. I own ~20 pairs of AE shoes, but not a single cap toe balmoral among them.

For that, I own 2 pairs of used Johnston & Murphy Melton captoes I got for ~$30 each on eBay, in amazing condition. And the average person could t tell the difference between them and PAs anyway.

I wear a suit only a few times a year, and even then , I wear something a bit more flashy if it's a wedding.

Yes they do make commission during the sales like majority of the stores. Thats why if some SA spends lot of time with me in helping me decide something and that day I decided not to buy; if I need to buy later, I go back and buy with that same SA and not someone else.

I called the assistant store manager that I've been buying from and who recently put an item I want on hold for me and found out that since she put the item on hold, I can purchase it with a different employee and the assistant store manager will still get the commission. Yay, I can get my briefcase a day early now.

Just picked up a pair of cappucino mcallisters! Will post pics when they get here. Is it stupid to topy a JR sole?

Good question......
Quite frankly, I can never understand why customers would have a sole guard installed over a JR sole. I try to talk them out of it. After-all you are paying a premium for JR leather which is the longest wearing leather.
Why not take advantage of that? Save your money for now. When the JR's eventually wear out have your soles replaced with a lessor grade leather (less expensive). Then have the sole guards applied.
In my mind that's the best way to maximize your investment and get the best performance.

Good question......
Quite frankly, I can never understand why customers would have a sole guard installed over a JR sole. I try to talk them out of it. After-all you are paying a premium for JR leather which is the longest wearing leather.
Why not take advantage of that? Save your money for now. When the JR's eventually wear out have your soles replaced with a lessor grade leather (less expensive). Then have the sole guards applied.
In my mind that's the best way to maximize your investment and get the best performance.

Thank you Nick! Great to see you in this thread.

Would you say the same if the shoes were double-blake stitched as well? My impression is that such shoes might be more dangerous to resole, but perhaps I'm incorrect? (Some AE shoes such as the Kenwood are double-blake stitched)